The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-05-20

the officer could prevent him, the prit
oner picked up Baby Bobinet, and kis,
ed her, again and again, while the tear
ran down his cheeks.
Baby Bobinet pleased beyond words
laughed and crowed merrily at one
more finding herself in papa's arms.
A child's laugh-s strange sound in
deed to be heard in such place
laugh 80 innocent, so pure, so musical
that it must have startled the ghost
of by-gone perjuries, and oaths, ant
mockeries, which haunt the moderI
temples of justice.
How it touched the heart of tn,
spectators, and penetrated the breast
of those who from day to day hat
grown callcus from continual hearing
of theft and murder and all unclean
ness! For moment the damnator,
evidence of Baby Bobinet was forgot
ten, as they saw her sparkling eyes ant
rosy cheeks-many wishing God nigh
have caused just such little blossom
to bloom in their hearts.
The young advocates soul sunk with
in him at this episode; he was convinc
ed of Teddy Bankers innocence; bu
it seemed as if Baby Booinet hac
clinched felon's chain about hel
fathers wrist.
A thought, however, struck him; aud
he resolved, if possible, to turn the in
cident to the advantage of his client
AT once addressing the Judge. he said
"Your honor, in view of this unex
pected revelation, would like to ask
this child some questions. The pris
oner assures me that he knows nothing
about this gem; and we will explain
away this matter-for however dark
it may look there is no desire on our
part to conceal anything
The gentlemen ON the other side
smiled derisively, but did not object to
letting the child testify.
Taking Baby Bobinet from her faith
ers arms, Mr.. Allen placed her upon
the table. She seemed a trifie dazed,
and looked with wonder at the great
crowd.
The judge asked her few questions,
TO which she returned intelligent an
swers. He then remarked.that who
ever wonld doubt the simple word of
such an innocent creature would not
be satisfied with an oath.
Teddy Banker looked at his child
through misty eyes, as he brokenly
said:
"Now, Bobinet, you must answer
these gentlemen, and tell them the
truth. Papa is here and no harm shall
come to you'll
With childish simplicity Baby Bobi-
net smiled back an answer, and then
threw him kiss from her rosy finger
tips.
'Bobinet, where did you get that
diamond?' asked lawyer Allen.
She looked questioningly at her faith
er, and be said to his attorney:
"Show her the diamond, call it a
marble, and she will answer YOU"
'.This pretty glass marble, Bobinet!
Did your papa give it to your ques-
toned the lawyer.
"No, sir; the mars lost i'll"
"What man, Bobinet?'
"a mans wifi a white face, what
coined frew and frighted Bobinet."
"Where was Bobinet?"
"Me playin' on a floor wifi my fings." :"
where was papa'"
"Tumin' home"
"Where was Mrs. O'Glnty9"
"Dittin fngs for papa's supper"
"What did the man sayi"
"Nohn'-him just run'd frew."
"Did he give the marble to you?"
Petty marble coined out O bis pock-
ct when he went dis way"
Here Bobinet mopped her little
white fore head with . tiny handker-
chief.
Didn't you show it to any onei"
"rroth, and she did, sar!' exclaimed
Mrs. OGlinty. rising to her feet; "an
l thoug ht it was only wan of her
old marbles--which l say now it amt,
sar!"
''Neyer mind now, madam-we will
hear you presently y said the Judge.
can it's the thruth I'm tellin' yees!
Taddy Bakers no thafel dye moind
that, sar!'
Mrs. O'Glinty was suppressed, and
Mr.. Allen began again to question
BobiDet.
"Now, my dear little girl, are you
sure your papa never had it?-never
gave it TO your
Papa never seed lt-tause the mems
tooked him away"
"Can you tell me how the man that
dropped the marble lookeds"
'He was long mans, and had a
wolly fng around his froat."
"Your HONOR spoke up Detective
Starke, 81 lost man, answering that
description, in that very nei ghbor-
hood"
can mans looked in the wintow
after Bit" said Bobinet.
"Your honor" explained the detect
i've. 81 did look in TIE window, and
saw this very child on the floor
"Now, Bobinet," asked Mr.. Allen,
"try and tell us what day
you saw this manf'
"They looked papa way next day."
When cross examined it was i'm
possible to break Bobinet's testimony
in the slightest degree. The prosecn-
ton were obliged to desist The un.
ruffied sweetness of Baby Bobinets
temper, through all the badgering, was
remarkable. All thoughts of his own
perilous position were chased away
from .he father by his admiration Of
his daughters sweet serenity.
The testimony of the detective and
Mrs. OGlinty went to confirm Bobinet's
story.
And now new sensation was in
reduced, when another frog dress was
brought into court, which must have
been made for twin brother of Teddy
Banker. This had been found by an
,fficer, and it began to seem possible
hat another person than the prisoner
lad assisted at the robbery.
1t was certainly a mixed-up case.
md to convict upon such light eyi.
ience would have been manifestly up-
ust. So at least thought the jury,
md father and daughter went out of
,ourt amid the cheers of the audience